Cattle restraining apparatus



Nov. 27, 1951 A. E. THORSON CATTLE RESTRAINING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1949 In ventor Alvin E. Tho/son Attorneys New 27, 1951 E. THORSON 2,576,654

CATTLE RESTRAINING APPARATUS v Filed June 1, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Alvin E. Thorsan By fimmizm WWW mg No 18. 27, 1951 A. E. THORSON 2,576,654

- CATTLE RESTRAINING APPARATUS FiledJt m'e l, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 27, 1951 A. E. 'IKHORSON 2,576,654

CATTLE RESTRA'IN'ING APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 Alvin Thorson I By Q I 5 WWW f zaqs Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED Q'F E l-:CE;

CATTLE RESTReAINING APPARATUS Alvin Thorson, victon -Mont Application June 1, 1949; S'eria l-No; 96,475 3gclaimsg (01.119 99) This invention relates to. new-.andtuseful im.'-. movements and structural. refinements: in re? straining apparatus for cattle, andatherprincipal object of: the invention is tosecurely hold cows and other animals while-they are being branded; dehorned or otherwise operated'upon; so that the operation may be performed :withspeed; con, VGDlGIICBiaRd Gm'ClGHCY; and withoutinterference from movement of the animal.

Some of the important-featuresof the invention involve th'e provisionof difierent means forrestraining the animal i against possible move ment, while at the same time permittingcon venient access to difierent portions of the animals body where the: necessary operation is to: be performed.

Some. of the advantages of the inventions re.-.. side in its simplicity of..'construction,-. in its con venient andi expeditious operation, 2.1161 3 in its adaptability to: economical 'manufactura.

With the. above-.-. more. important: objects: and features in VlEW and-such other objects and: feae tures' as may become: apparentias; thisi. specification" proceeds, the invention consists-essentiallyin the construction. and"? arrangement oi parts as shown in the: accompanying: drawings; in which:

Figure 1 is: a1 perspectiveeview'r Of-TthGiiI'H/TBH- tion;

Figure 2 is aside elevational 'vi-ew 'tliereofz:

Figure -33 is a" cross-sectional View, taken; sub stantially in the-splane'. of the line-3:..3 inaliig:-- ure 2;

Figure 4 isan'end view, takenzin theeplane 10f" the line -4--4 :in-Fig-ure 2'; V

Figure 5-is-apfragmentary perspective viewlxon' an" enlarged scale, illustrating the lockingemeans for one'of the sidebars used initherinventionp Figure: 6: isan end view; taken in the; plane-lot the line 661in, Figurel:2; and."

Figure; 7'"is.=a group perspective view on an en-w larged scale, illustrating the suspensionaoir'the entrance: closure or door i used: inthe invention.

Like charactersuof reference; are.- employed 1 to designate like parts; in the specification: and throughout the; several "views.

Referring now: to they: accompanying drawings in detail; the invention. consists'of: a cattle-ere: straining apparatus designated generally by the; reference character Ill, the sameembodying-sinits construction a a: boxeshaped frame; I 2 consisting: of apair: of. spaced a parallel: base. members I 4 connected together; by a; pair; of; longitudinal members 16 which, in-tu-rn; carry. a; base-:- plate.

I8, as is.- best shown.incFEure...v

Theframe ll 2::also-includes a set-of corner posts. 29,- 22; the formerbeing somewhat shorter than the latter. substantially as. shown. The; corner. posts 26 are disposed ataone end ofrtherapparatus;

2 while the. posts- 22;; are. disposed at the relatively,

opposite end." and? a pair of longitudinal top members z t-connect togethertheupper portion of the posts :2 0, 22 while. the posts :2 G themselves. are connected-together at their upper ends; by a transverse top member' 26. upperend: portions of the corner posts -22 areconnected' together by: vertically spaced transa verse-members 28; 30', as is bestshownin Fige ure' 1.

A pair off spaced side walls 32; 34 are mountedwithinthe-frame l2 and, being adapted .to receive an animal therebetween, definewhat: may bereferred to as an: animal recei-ving or re-l straining chamber 36 having an entrance: end: 38and-an exit end 40. (See Figure 1:) 7

Withminor exceptions, the side walls 32', 34 are similar in: construction, so that a description of one will, to a large extent; sufli'ce for both;

Eachof the-side walls 32, Missubstantially rectangular; and consists of ahorizontally elon-f gated bottom panel 42' provided with apair of: side members or end members 44 which extend upwardly and are connected together at their upper ends by a top member- 46 A horizontal rod 48 extends between theenclmembers 44 in adjacent parallel relation to the; upper edge-of the bottom panel "42-; and aiplurality'of-npwardly' extending-side bars 551 are provided at their bottom ends with transverse,

' tubular portions=-or-sleeve s 52 which arero tatablymounted in longitudinally aligned relation on the rod '48 so that; the bars- 5%- Inaybe individually swung outwardly from; theside wall; as indicated by the arrow 54in Figure-1.

It should-be understood that when the inven tion-is placedin use, ananimal is clamped-in the chamber by the side walls 32; 34, andthe above described facilities for individually swingingtlie side; bars outwardly provide means for gaining convenient access to different portions of the animals-body.

Means are provided for locking the sidebars 50 in-position; thesemeansconsisting of a.set of U-shapedfbrackets 56:- secured. to the top members 4610f? the. sidewalls (see Figure: 5) and equipped with pivotallymounted wire .keepersfill whichzare engageable with upper. end DOItiOIlSeOf the} bars- 50;; so i as. to: releasably retain-Q. theibarsi in pr ner position-r N eedlesst to, say; individual.

Similarly, the.

locking means of this type are provided for each side bar, so that other bars need not be disturbed if only one particular bar is to be swung outwardly.

If desired, the bottom panel or member 42 of the side wall 32 may be provided with a door opening equipped with a removable door 60, so that access may be had to lower portions of the animals body. The door 60 is simply retained in its position by a pair of bolts or latches 62 slidable in relatively opposite directions by the actuation of a suitable lever 64 pivoted to the door, the latches 62 being engageable with suitable brackets or sockets 66 mounted on the side wall 32. If desired, the door 60 may be removed from the side wall, or it may be merely opened, the latter arrangement being facilitated by a hinge pin 68 whereby the door may be swingably attached to the associated side wall.

The mounting of the side walls 32, 34 in the frame I2 will now be explained, the side wall 32 being pivotally or hingedly connected at the lower edge of its bottom member 42 to the base plate I8 of the frame, as indicated at I0, while the side wall 34 is swingable, as well as slidable, toward and away from the side wall 32. This is achieved by extending the end members 44 of the side wall 34 downwardly through suitable slots I2 provided in the baseplate I8 as shown in Figure 3, these downward extensions of the side wall end members being indicated at 14 and being connected by suitable tension springs I6 to one of the longitudinal base members I6. Moreover, lengths of chain I8 are connected tothe extension I4 and are lockably engageable with keyhole slots 80 provided in the remaining base member l6, so that while the springs I6 tend to draw the side wall 34 away from the side wall 32, the distance of the lower edge of the side wall 34 from the lower edge of the side wall 32 may be preadjusted by simply engaging different links of the chain I8 with the slots 80, as will be clearly apparent.

However, it is to be noted that the attachment of the springs I6 and chains I8 to the extension 14 facilitates swinging movement of the side wall 34 toward and away from the wall 32, while similar movement of the wall 32 with respect to the wall 34 is, of course, facilitated by the hinge or pivot connection I0. Accordingly, the two side walls may be swung or drawn together so as to clamp an animal therebetween or, alternatively, may be swung apart so as to release the animal. Moreover, the adjustment facilitated by the slidable positioning of the extensions I4 in the slots I2 enables the distance between the lower edges of the two side walls to be increased or decreased so as to effectively accommodate animals of different sizes.

The swinging of the side walls 32, 34 is effected by means of a lever 82 which is secured to a longitudinal shaft 84 journaled in the aforementioned members 26, 28 and provided with a pair of bellcranks 86 which, in turn, are operatively connected by suitable links 88 to upper edges of the side walls 32, 34. The outer end portion of the lever 82 is provided with a drop cord 90, and it will be apparent from the foregoing that by pulling this cord downwardly, the walls 32, 34 will be drawn together so as to clamp an animal in the chamber 36. Means are provided for looking the side walls against outward swinging movement, these means consisting of a toothed segment 92 secured to a cross member 94 carried by theaforementioned top members 24, the lever 82 being provided with a pawl 96 which is urged by a tension spring 98 in engagement with the segment 92 (see Figure 1) so as to lock the lever 82 and the side walls 32, 34 against outward swinging movement, as aforesaid. However, the pawl 96 is also provided with a drop cord I00, so that by simply pulling this cord downwardly the pawl may be disengaged from the segment 92 to release the lever 82 and to facilitate spreading of the side walls 32, 34.

The entrance end 38 of the animal restraining chamber 36 is equipped with a slidable door or closure I02 provided at the upper edge thereof with a bracket I04 carrying a carriage I06 and with additional brackets I08 carrying a tubular slide II0.

The carriage I06 and the slide I II] are movable longitudinally in a tubular guide II2 secured to the frame I2 by suitable brackets II4, the guide H2 being provided in the bottom thereof with a longitudinally extending slot II6 through which the brackets I04, I08 may extend into the guide. (See Fi ure 7.)

The closure or door I02 is equipped with a suitable handle I I8 so that sliding thereof may be effected, and the bottom portion of the door is guided by suitable fingers I20, I22 which slidably engage a guide rod I24 secured to one of the base members I4.

The exit end 40 of the animal-restraining chamber 36 is also provided with a closure or door I26 which is hingedly attached as at I28 to one of the corner posts 22 and is equipped with a spring-pressed latch or bolt I30 so that it may be retained in a closed position. This latch, which is engageable with a bracket or socket I32 mounted on another of the corner posts 22, is actuated by a depressible foot pedal I34, the latter being pivoted to the door I26 and being so arranged that by simply depressing the pedal I34 the latch I 30 is released from the socket I32 to facilitate opening of the door.

A downwardly inclined head rest I36 is secured to the outer surface of the door I26 and the upper edge portion of the door is recessed, as at I 36, so as to receive the neck of the animal, as shown at I40 in Figure 6.

Means are provided for preventing the animal from moving its head, these means consisting of a restraining member I42 which is vertically slidable in a pair of guides I 44 provided on the corner posts 22 at the exit end of the apparatus, the bottom edge of the member I42 being provided with a wire rod I46 which has an arched intermediate portion I48 adapted to engage the neck of the animal. The restraining member I 42, together with the rod I46 are slid upwardly and downwardly by the actuation of a lever I50 which is pivoted to a bracket I52 mounted on the frame I2 and is operatively connected by a link or rod I54 to the member I42, as is best shown in Figure 1.

The lever I50 is also provided with a drop cord I56 whereby the member I42 may be slid downwardly toward the door I26, but a tension spring I58 is connected to the lever I50 and is also con-'- nected, as at I60, to one of the base members I4, whereby the restraining member I42 is normally urged upwardly from the door I26, as will be clearly understood.

Means are provided for locking the restraining member I52 against upward sliding movement, these means consisting of a vertical rod or shaft I62 which is secured to the member I42 and is provided with a plurality of notches I64 engageable by a locking arm I66 through which the shaft I62 slides. This arm is mounted by means of a spring-loaded bolt I68 on the frame member 30 and is provided with a drop cord I16, so that by simply pulling this drop cord downwardly, the arm I66 may be released from the notches I64 in the shaft I62 and the restraining member I42 may be permitted to slide upwardly by the resiliency of the spring I58.

Finally, the invention contemplates the provision of means engageable with the nose of the animal for restraining the animals head against movement about the axis of the neck, these lastmentioned means involving the provision of a rod I12 which has one end portion thereof selectively receivable in a plurality of apertures I'M provided in a bracket I16 attached to the door I26, this rod having an arched intermediate portion I18 engageable with the nose of the animal while the head of the animal is supported by the rest I36.

The remaining end portion of the rod I12 is removably retained in position by a notched keeper bar I88 which is removably and adjustably positioned in a guide rod I82 secured to one of the'corner posts 22 while the notches thereof are selectively engageable with a keeper pin I84 with which the guide rod I82 is provided, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 6. The keeper bar I80 is equipped at one end thereof with a hookshaped extremity I86 adapted to engage the restraining rod I12, whereby the latter will be firmly yet adjustably retained in position to clamp the animal's nose. However, it is to be noted that the keeper bar I80 may be removed from the guide rod I82 and from the restraining rod I12 so as to facilitate opening and closing of the door I26.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly apparent from the foregoing disclosure, and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a cattle restraining apparatus, the combination of a base, a pair of spaced side walls provided on said base and adapted to receive an animal therebetween, one of said side walls being pivoted at its lower edge to said base, the second side wall having its lower edge pivotally and slidably attached to the base whereby said walls may be swung toward and away from each other and whereby the distance between the lower edges thereof may be varied, common means for swinging said walls, means for locking said walls against outward swinging movement, additional means for sliding the lower edge portion of said second wall toward and away from the first wall, a head rest provided for cooperation with a closure at one end of the apparatus, means engageable with the neck of an animal in said chamber for retaining the head thereof on said rest, said last-named means including a restraining member vertically reciprocable in a pair of guides adjacent the exit closure of the chamber, a wire rod having an arched intermediate portion engageable with the neck of an animal and provided on said restraining member, means for locking the restraining member against upward movement including a vertical rod attached to the restraining member, a plurality of notches on said rod, a lock arm engageable with said notches and said arm being mounted by means of a releasable spring-loaded bolt.

2. In a cattle restraining apparatus, the combination of a base, a pair of spaced side walls mounted on said base for movement toward and away from each other and defining an animal receiving chamber therebetween, said chamber having entrance and exit closures provided at the respective ends of said chamber, a head rest provided on the exit closure, means engageable with the neck of an animal in said chamber for retaining the head thereof on said rest, said last-named means including a restraining member vertically reciprocable in a pair of guides adjacent the exit closure, a wire rod having an arched intermediate portion engageable with the neck of an animal, said rod being provided on said restraining member, means for locking the restraining member against upward movement including a vertical rod attached to the restraining member, a plurality of notches on said rod,

a lock arm engageable with a preselected one of with the neck of an animal in said chamber for retaining the head thereof on said rest, said lastnamed means including a restraining member vertically reciprocable in a pair of guides adjacent the exit closure, a wire rod having an arched intermediate portion engageable with the neck of an animal, said rod being provided on said restraining member, means for locking the restraining member against upward movement including a vertical rod attached to the restraining member, a plurality of notches on said rod, a lock arm engageable with a preselected one of said notches, said arm being mounted by means of a releasable spring loaded bolt, nose-restraining means provided on said exit closure for coaction with said head rest, and a resilient means for urging said restraining member to an upper position.

ALVIN E. THORSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 733,874 Beck et a1. July 14, 1903 1,560,888 Watt Nov. 10, 1925 2,266,991 Richius Dec. 23, 1941 2,396,928 Parsons Mar. 19, 1946 2,438,322 McDonough Mar. 23, 1948 

